96-year-old collects water in buckets amid crisis

Puerto Rico is experiencing a critical water shortage, with millions of American citizens on the island facing daily struggles for basic water access. The crisis stems from a severe drought compounded by decades of neglect, underinvestment, and aging infrastructure, particularly a vital pipeline known as the Superaqueduct.

Residents endure mandatory water rationing, sometimes for weeks, relying on bucket baths and bottled water for basic needs. A 96-year-old grandmother in Loiza exemplifies the hardship, collecting water in numerous bottles and buckets due to the "thinnest thread of water" from her faucet.

Experts describe the situation as a humanitarian crisis, not merely a drought. The US Department of Agriculture has approved disaster declarations for affected farmers, while the governor explores options for federal emergency aid.

The island's water system suffers from significant water losses, estimated at nearly 60% prior to recent ruptures, due to leaks and inaccurate metering. Infrastructure issues, worsened by past hurricanes, contribute to the prolonged waterless days experienced by many for years.

Past droughts, such as those in 2014-2016 and 2020, have seen similar restrictions. Despite significant federal funds committed to water infrastructure, the ongoing neglect and the reliance on a single major pipeline without adequate backup underscore the deep-seated problems.